I totally understand where youa re coming from.  I was 1 lb from losing 20lbs in 4 weeks and went up 5.  I had eaten out alot that week and I thought I had made good choices but a creamer here and decaf coffee and ranch dressing there are not going to cut it. I am in week 5 and I did order the food because I knew I would not cook what I thought would be very complicated food items.  I have just recently purchased some of the shake materials and I want to try and make those.  I know I can make the main meet dishes but the veggies I am not so sure. No way will I spend all day making the broth I will defintitely keep ordering it.  I would like to stay on Phase I for 3 months.  I work as a nurse 12.5 hr shifts and it is difficult to get all the food in.  I also have Lupus and I am in an acute episode now so mentally and emotionally I dont want to mess with the food thing.  Event though that is what I should be doing.  I am doing what works for me as far as getting the meals in.  Do you have the resources to maybe use something like Seattle Sutton to do the cooking? It is a lot of work but I do want to be healthy and trim.  I am not sure I gave you any helpful advice with the exception of I know how you feel.

I have to cook two sets of meals - one for my diabetic husband who is a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy and can really pack in the food and healthy meals for myself so I can understand your delimma - here are some of the things I do to hel make it easier for me to keep up and stay on track.  I don't have alot of time during the week to go to the grocery store, so I ususally do all my grocery shopping on the weekend.  I do a lot of prep work on the weekends.  I generally make 3 shakes at a time in my blender (Sun and Wed), store in the fridge in travel mugs and have one every morning for breakfast.  The new steamer bags that they have in the stores now is great for steaming veggies quickly in the microwave.  I generally get the pre-cut brocolli and some asparagus and alternate.  I also use the frozen green beans and other veggies a lot.  I will make a big pot of rice and keep in the fridge.  I usually use it up before it goes bad.  I also will make several of the recipes on the weekend and aloquot them into individual servings (most of the recipes are for 4 servings).  I will often freeze 2 of the servings for another week when I'm too busy and can pull from my "stash" (also to add variety to other weeks).  I do that will my husbands meals as well.  (Although his don't go as far - he can polish off 1/2 a casserole in one sitting and still have room for dessert!).  I will also make a package of chicken breasts or fish at once and cut them in half, so I end up with four servings.  I take baby carrots and celery to work - those are easy to aliquot into small ziplock bags that are easy to grab and go.  I try to keep it fairly simple and try a new recipe every week to add some variety.  Hope this helps - Good Luck!

I have to cook two sets of meals - one for my diabetic husband who is a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy and can really pack in the food and healthy meals for myself so I can understand your delimma - here are some of the things I do to hel make it easier for me to keep up and stay on track.  I don't have alot of time during the week to go to the grocery store, so I ususally do all my grocery shopping on the weekend.  I do a lot of prep work on the weekends.  I generally make 3 shakes at a time in my blender (Sun and Wed), store in the fridge in travel mugs and have one every morning for breakfast.  The new steamer bags that they have in the stores now is great for steaming veggies quickly in the microwave.  I generally get the pre-cut brocolli and some asparagus and alternate.  I also use the frozen green beans and other veggies a lot.  I will make a big pot of rice and keep in the fridge.  I usually use it up before it goes bad.  I also will make several of the recipes on the weekend and aloquot them into individual servings (most of the recipes are for 4 servings).  I will often freeze 2 of the servings for another week when I'm too busy and can pull from my "stash" (also to add variety to other weeks).  I do that will my husbands meals as well.  (Although his don't go as far - he can polish off 1/2 a casserole in one sitting and still have room for dessert!).  I will also make a package of chicken breasts or fish at once and cut them in half, so I end up with four servings.  I take baby carrots and celery to work - those are easy to aliquot into small ziplock bags that are easy to grab and go.  I try to keep it fairly simple and try a new recipe every week to add some variety.  Hope this helps - Good Luck!

Hi Lady Jevra,

Congratulations on 5 weeks, wow, that is an accomplishment. Stay focused on the positive, don't beat yourself up about your slip up. You've already taken action to get back on track and that's most important.

I can relate to your situation with your boyfriend. I too have a boyfriend with whom I've been with for 11 years and have lived with for the last 8 years who has a less than ideal diet. He is Italian and loves his pasta, red meats and potatoes.

I am on my 10th day on USD and I miss tomatoes a lot. It's tough when my boyfriend is eating his homemade pasta red meat sauce which is delicious and I am sitting next to him eating veggies and brown rice and broth. To compound the problem, I cook most of his meals as well as my son's. I'm out numbered in my quest for a healthier diet. However, this is my self-talk to get me through it... we live in a world of immediate gratification, we want it now without effort but the reality is it has taken me 11 years to put on 30 lbs, so I would be foolish to think I will become healthier, lose the 30 lbs and change my households viewpoint on food in a matter of a few weeks. I have to muster the self-determination to set the healthy example by sticking to my new way of eating. I have to take care of myself first and hopefully my boyfriend and son will see me drop the weight, be healthier and more energetic and want for themselves what I now have earned. Rather than reward myself with food, I have to find new ways of rewarding myself such as with a new outfit, facial, massage, flowers etc. Aren't you more tired of being overweight, unhealthy and unhappy then you are of having to cook a healthy meal? For me I'm tired of not feeling as attractive as I used to. I don't like getting older and fatter. I want to be able to put on a nighty and feel sexy, not oh no, I look terrible, how am I going to hide this bulge or that cellulite. Hope you are not blushing, just being honest here.

Anyway my point is although to you this new lifestyle is a major pain, time consuming and exhausting, it's worth the effort! Put your focus on the positive aspects, get tough with yourself and use your intention to get what you truly want in your life. Keep it simple... fat or fit, tired or energetic, healthy or unhealthy, happy or unhappy? Borrow, the wise words from the musical group, Devo...

Now whip it.
into shape.
shape it up.
get straight.
go forward.
move ahead.
try to detect it.
it's not too late.
to whip it.
whip it good.

Sing this to yourself when you are making your Ultra Shakes. :-)

Hope this helps!

Smiles,
itzworthatry

Hi, we just started into week 6 and I can totally understand the slip.  I posted somewhere that I went into the bakery section just to smell the bread!!  Of course, this week held a few laughs.  My son had an "incident" with his pants being so big on him now they literally fell off!  I thought it was so funny until walking into the market and almost having the same "incident."  It will get better, little slips are to be expected but as you see the results--it will make it easier.  I have been holding at 10-11 pounds for several weeks but not giving up hope.  It is much harder when someone else in the house is not on the program.  If you have tried some of the recipes, you will find they are good enough to pass for "real food."  My pasta is spagetti squash with your favorite salsa "sauce",  The turkey chili is really tasty--just be sure to use fresh ground turkey.  My husband, my chef, is visiting his folks, so I know what you mean about the market and prep time.  I think it is getting easier as I get more comfortable with brands and where to find things--still have not located pomagranate molasses--is it available here on the west coast?  Our health food store looked at me like I made it up!!!  Have to close--more later--my diabetic eyes are done for today and I can't even find the spellcheck on my computer--so please excuse any typing/spelling errors,  Don't give up!  Mama Foodie

Dear Choosing to be Well, I know I posted the comment back in February and maybe it will help if I tell you that now I have lost over 30 pounds and my son has lost 93 pounds to date.  I have not figured out why I have not lost more but there have been many slides down the hill for us but we are still climbing.  Sometimes it helps to look back to see your way forward.  Before--enormous bowl of ice cream loaded with chocolate, fudge, etc.  Now--very small bowl of lowfat soy ice cream with whole cherries.  See the difference?  Yes, we are cheating but we are cheating healthy! I too had a 5 pound "awakening" this week but we went on vacation and ate "badly" very good--you know what I mean? We are going to go back and do the Ultra Simple Diet week again to get us jump started in the right direction.  Yes, the food devil is out there around every corner with his fork, spoon, and knife but do not get discouraged--just remember all the things you are doing right, good luck, Mama Foodie